Breeding with the best
Arthur de Villiers of Arcadia Bonsmara near Vrede is the 2013 recipient of the ARC National Beef Cattle Improvement Herd of the Year Award.
I know that’s my cow, but how can I prove it?
Chris Nel discusses traditional methods of identifying livestock. These methods may work well for day-to-day flock and herd management, but their limitations are apparent when subjected to the demands of...
Absolutely extensive Ngunis
Ted and Liz Reilly played a big role in putting the Swazi Nguni ecotype back on the map. Their cattle are run with game animals and receive no special treatment.
Livestock Disease Trends – December 2013
Weather conditions: Good rains fell in the eastern part of the country, but extremely dry conditions persist in the western and central regions. Very wet conditions occurred in some areas...
Why identify animals?
In the first of a series of articles, we look at the principles of animal and animal product traceability. Compiled by Chris Nel.
Commercial success for small-scale cattleman
Starting with just 10 Bonsmaras, ARC National Emerging Beef Farmer for 2013 Moses Zengetwa today has a herd of 120 highly productive Bonsmara-type cows and heifers. Mike Burgess visited him...
Profiting from a feedlot
Mvalo Msiza has value-added in steps – building a beef herd, establishing two butcheries, and starting and expanding a feedlot. He spoke to Peter Mashala.
Livestock Disease Trends – November 2013
Drought: It’s been very dry in SA’s western and central areas, and reports of severe protein and energy deficiencies were received. Heavy mortalities, downer cows, cows too weak to calf,...
Ganna Ngunis – breeding for excellence
Michiel van Niekerk runs a stud Nguni herd in the arid region of the western Free State between Petrusburg and Kimberley. For him, the economic realities of livestock farming mean...
Dairy farming across the Atlantic
Argentinian dairy farmer Francisco Mihura keeps his operation profitable by practising economies of scale and using home-grown food to lower his costs. Denene Erasmus was there.
Bonsmaras, and a thirst for knowledge
The Agricultural Research Council’s Free State Emerging Beef Farmer for 2013, Robert Thekiso, farms more than 100 commercial Bonsmara cows on 669ha. Mike Burgess visited him.
Livestock Disease Trends – October 2013
In many parts of the country the drought took its toll, with reports of protein and energy deficiencies being received.
The Afrikaner embraces the future
SA cattlemen increasingly recognise the Afrikaner’s competitive advantage, says Barry Steenkamp, co-owner of the Palmietkuil Afrikaner herd in the Vredefort area of the Free State. Annelie Coleman paid him a...
Beefmasters with altitude
Dries and Minnie de Klerk produce fine, hardy Beefmasters at an altitude of between 1 883m and 1 950m in the Stormberg, with a severe winter climate. Heather Dugmore visited...
Enjoying the benefits of better genetics
Age has not prevented a group of elderly communal sheep farmers in the former Transkei from embracing change and improving their flocks. The result has been better sheep, finer wool...
Wireworm-resistant – Majobe merinos
Merino breeder Johan Hoffman of Bothaville in the Free State has virtually eradicated wireworm (Haemonchus contortus) from his 800-strong stud flock. He spoke to Annelie Coleman.
‘Feedlotting changed my buy and braai business’
Running a successful shisa nyama in the busy township of Mamelodi near Pretoria, Jerry Boshoga realised that buying meat was eroding his profit. Last year, he established a feedlot to...
Farming Angora rabbits with love and care
Angora rabbits need a patient approach before their wool can be harvested. But the end-product is sought after by discerning consumers worldwide.
Award-winning breeder shares some secrets
Johannes Uys of Cohanma Jerseys in the Overberg bred McIvor, the 2013 Taurus Jersey Bull of the Year. Denene Erasmus looks at the man and the herd behind this bull.
A small, well-managed herd: the secret to success on communal land
According to Alfred Maabelo, keeping a large herd of cattle on communal land is not always a good idea. It’s far better, he argues, to choose the breed carefully, keep...
ADVERTISEMENT
MUST READS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
